Screen fitting

ABSTRACT

A screen fitting comprising an elongated tubular fitting member defining a central flow passage and including an intermediate body portion, an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion, one of the end portions being externally threaded and thereby adapted to be threadably received within an internally threaded bore of an associated support structure, the other of the end portions being formed with an outwardly projecting shoulder and adapted for insertion into the end of an associated fluid conduit, a generally cup-shaped perforate screen member comprising a generally cylindrical side wall section terminating at one end thereof in a generally radially extending end section and at the opposite end in a generally radially outwardly projecting attachment section adapted to be nestingly received within an annular recess formed around the periphery of the flow passage, whereby to operatively secure the screen and fitting members together.

Unite States Patent [191 Oldtord 1 July 31, 1973 SCREEN FITTING [75] Inventor: William G. Oldford, Lexington,

Mich.

[73] Assignee: Huron Tool and Mfg. Co.,

Lexington, Mich [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,676

,Z I t A. M

Primary Examiner samih N. Zahama Assistant ExaminerRichard W. Burks Attorneyl-larness, Dickey & Pierce 57 7 ABSTRACT A screen fitting comprising an elongated tubular fitting member defining a central flow passage and including an intermediate body portion, an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion, one of the end portions being externally threaded and thereby adapted to be threadably received within an internally threaded bore of an associated support structure, the other of the end portions being formed with an outwardly projecting shoulder and adapted for insertion into the end of an associated fluid conduit, a generally cup-shaped perforate screen member comprising a generally cylindrical side wall section terminating at one end thereof in a generally radially extending end section and at the opposite end in a generally radially outwardly projecting attachment section adapted to be nestingly received within an annular recess formed around the periphery of the flow passage, whereby to operatively secure the screen and fitting members together.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SCREEN FITTING SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As is well known in the art, modern automotive vehicles are conventionally provided with water cooled internal combustion engines and it is frequently the practice to utilize water which is heated during operation of a vehicle engine in connection with warming the interior of the passenger compartment. Toward this end, the heated water is communicated through suitable fluid circuitry to the vehicle heater, and it has been the practice to provide some type of fluid fitting means for operatively connecting this circuitry with the water jacket section of the associated engine block. The present invention is directed toward a new and improved fitting for accomplishing the aforesaid, which fitting is provided with a screen or filter element which is designed to prevent the ingress of any foreign material into the heater or fluid circuitry therefor. More particularly, the new and improved screen fitting of the present invention is designed so as to be of an extremely simple construction, thereby minimizing manufacturing and assembly time and expense to the extreme, as compared with similar type devices heretofore known and used in the prior art.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved screen fitting.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved screen fitting which is of an extremely simple, yet durable and economical construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved screen fitting which is designed to permit rapid assembly of the screen and fitting elements or members thereof.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved screen fitting which will find universality of application.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new an improved screen fitting, as above described, which may have the screen element thereof operatively secured or attached to the fitting member in a manner so as to obviate the need for any expensive tooling, assembly devices or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the screen fitting of the present invention, as shown in operative association with a support structure and a fluid conduit;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side elevational view, partially broken away, of a slightly modified embodiment of the screen fitting of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view ofa screen fitting in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates yet a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 and depicts another embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

PERTINENT PRIOR ART The following patents are believed to be pertinent in connection with the present invention.

Patent No. Inventor Date I,8l2,9I6 O. U. Zcrk July 7, I93I 2,019,094 W. H Rice et al Oct. 29, I935 2,068,837 P. R Aronson Jan. 26, 1937 2,418,247 C. B Dalzcll April 1, I947 2,540,564 L. A Zacko Feb. 6, 1951 2,645,099 A. S. Cumming July 14, 1953 2,647, 636 A. W. Rafferty Aug. 4, 1953 2,658,625 A. W. Rafferty Nov. 10, 1953 3,109,459 L. Lee ll, et al. Nov. 5, 1963 3,240,346 F. J. Callaham, Jr., Mar. 15, 1966 et al. 3,382,984 R. L. Kuss Mar. 14, I968 3,421,631 C. K. Hirsch Jan. 14, I969 3,458,050 R. B. Cooper July 29, 1969 3,460,682 G. R. Onufer Aug. 12, 1969' DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawing and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a screen fitting 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally as comprising an elongated cylindrically shaped fitting member 12 and a generally cup-shaped screen member 14. The screen fitting 10 is shown in operative association with a support structure 16 which might conventionally comprise a portion of the cylinder block of an automotive engine, the support member 16 being formed with an internally threaded bore 18 which communicates at the inner end thereof with an internal cavity 20 comprising a portion of the water jacket or water cooling circuit of the associated engine. In addition, the screen fitting 10 is shown in operative association with a portion of a fluid conduit 22 which might typically comprise part of the water circulating system of a vehicle heater, the conduit 22 being operatively secured to the fitting member 12 of a screen fitting 10 by means of a suitable clamping device 24, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

The fitting member 12 is preferably, although not necessarily, fabricated of a suitable non-corrosive metallic alloy and is formed with an elongated cylindrical fluid passage 26 which extends through the entire length thereof. The member 12 comprises a central, generally tubular intermediate body portion 28 which is integrally connected at one end thereof to an inlet end portion 30 and at the opposite end thereof to an outlet end portion 32. The inlet end portion 30 is formed with an increased thickness wall 34 which is formed with an externally threaded surface 36 adapted to be threadably received within the bore 18, whereby to fixedly secure the fitting member 12 to the support structure 16.

The outlet end portion 32 of the fitting member 12 is formed with an enlarged thickness, radially outwardly projecting shoulder 38 at the terminal end thereof which defines a generally frustoconical or tapered pilot surface 40. The end portion 32 is adapted to be inserted within the adjacent end of the condui 22, with the pilot surface 40 providing for convenient insertion thereinto. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the end portion 32 is inserted into the conduit in sufficient distance so that the clamping means 24 may clampingly engage the terminal end of the conduit 22 to the fitting member 12 at a position axially inwardly from the shoulder 38, with the shoulder 38 and the clamping means 24 functioning to provide a positive attachment and a fluid tight seal between the inner periphery of the conduit 22 and the adjacent end of the screen fitting 10, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The outlet end portion 32 of the fitting member 12 is formed with a diametrically extending slot 42 which is adapted to removably receive a suitable blade like tool, such as a screwdriver or the like, for use in threadably inserting the fitting member 12 into the bore 18 of the support structure 1 6. Reference will be made to FIG. 3 wherein a slightly modified embodiment of the fitting member 12 is shown as comprising an enlarged thick ness shoulder 44 adjacent the inlet end portion 30, the outer periphery of the shoulder 44 being formed with a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced faces or facets 46 adapted to be engaged by a conventional wrench or the like for threadably mounting the member 12 to the support structure 16. It will be appreciated, of course, that various other types of means known to those skilled in the art might be employecl for operatively securing the fitting member 12 in its operative position.

Referring now in detail to the construction of the screen member 14, said member 14 is fabricated of a suitable ferrous or nonferrous alloy, or a suitable corrosion resistance synthetic plastic material, and is formed with a multiplicity of perforations or apertures 47, as best seen in FIG. 1. The screen member 14 comprises a generally cylindrically shaped side wall section 48 which terminates at one end thereof in an integral, generally radially disposed circular end section 50. The opposite end of the cylindrical side section is provided with attachment means in the form of a radially outwardly extending flange section 52 which functions in a manner hereinafter to be described in operatively securing the screen member 14 to the fitting member 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the passage 26 is formed with an annular, radially outwardly extending recess or groove 54 at a position generally axially aligned with the threaded surface 36. The annular recess 54 is spaced axially inwardly from the adjacent end of the fitting member 12 and is adapted to nestingly receive the radially outwardly extending flange section 52. The axial distance which the recess 54 is spaced from the adjacent end of the fitting member 12 is such that a substantial portion of the screen member 14 projects into the cavity when the screen member 14 is operatively secured to the fitting member l2, as illustrated.

In order to provide for convenient assembly of the screen member 14 into the adjacent end of the fitting member 12, the flange section 52 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaces, radially inwardly extending notches or recesses 54) which permit radially inward deformation of the side wall section of the member 14, thus enabling the inner end of the screen member 14 to be compressed until the diameter of the flange section 52 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the adjacent end of the passage 26 so that the flange section 52 may be inserted axially into the passage 26 to a position where it is axially aligned with the recess 54, at which time the compressive force may be relieved so that the natural resilient characteristic of the I compressed screen member 14 will result in radial expansion of the side wall section 48 to a position where it is contiguously engaged with the inner periphery of the passage 26 and the flange 52 is nestingly received within the recess 54.

With reference to FIG. 7, instead of the screen member 14 being formed with the flange section 52 having the plurality of notches 56, said member 14 may be formed with a plurality of radially outwardly extending, circumferentially spaced tabs 58 which would function in the same capacity as the flange section 52, with the circumferential spacing of the tabs 58 permitting the aforesaid temporary radial compression of the screen member side wall section 48 during assembly of the member 14. It will be noted that either the flange section 52 or a plurality of tabs 58 may be bent axially outwardly (toward the side wall section 48) to the position shown by the element 60 in FIG. 5, whereby to further facilitate insertion of the associated screen member into the passage 26, with the reverse bend of the element 60 assuring against inadvertent disassembly of the Screen member 14 once it has been operatively secured.

With reference to FIG. 6, in certain instances, it may be desirable to insert the screen member 14 into the prior to the flange section being formed thereon. This may be accomplished by inserting the end of the member 14 to a position where the inner end thereof is in axial registry with the recess 54, at which time a suitable tool, such as an expanding collet or the like, may be inserted from the opposite end of the passage 26 and effect radial deformation of the flange section 52 from its generally axially extending configuration to a radially disposed configuration, as illustrated. As yet another alternative of the present invention, the flange section 52 or plurality of tabs 58 may be bent or deformed into a generally helical arrangement and thereby be adapted to be threadably inserted through a suitable internally threaded counterbore in the passage 26. This arrangement is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein a plurality of helically disposed tabs 66 are adapted for threaded reception into an internally threaded counterbore 68 in the passage 26. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various alternative arrangements may be used for operatively securing the screen member 14 to the fitting member 12 without departing from the scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

In operation of the screen fitting 10 of the present invention, at such time as the screen fitting 10 is operatively mounted within the support structure 16 and is properly attached to the conduit 22, heated water located within the cavity 20, is circulated through the plurality of perforations or ports 47 of the screen member 14. This water then circulates or is communicated axially within the passage 26 and subsequently through the conduit 22 to the associated vehicle heater. By virtue of fact that the screen member l4 projects into the cavity 20, the water which normally circulates therein will have a cleansing effect on any foreign material or the like which may tend to accumulate on the outer surface thereof.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invcntion provides a novel screen fitting which is of an extremely simple design and therefor may be economically manufactured and easily assembled, whereby to minimize manufacturing expenses to a minimum. Additionally, the extreme simplicity of the screen fitting of the present invention will provide for a long and effective operational life and convenient interchanging when necessary.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A screen fitting comprising,

an elongated tubular fitting member defining a central flow passage and including an intermediate body portion, an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion,

one of said end portions being externally threaded and thereby adapted to be threadably received within an internally threaded bore of an associated support structure, I

the other of said end portions being formed with an outwardly projecting shoulder and adapted for insertion into the end of an associated conduit and having suitable clamping means to clampingly secure said conduit to said member at a position axially inwardly of said shoulder,

a generally cup-shaped perforate screen member adapted to be operativelysecured to said fitting member;

said screen member comprising a generally cylindrical side wall section terminating at one end thereof in a generally radially extending end section and at the opposite end in a generally radially outwardly projecting attachment section, and

means defining a generally radially outwardly disposed annular recess formed in the periphery of said flow passage and adapted to nestingly receive said attachment section of said screen member for securing said screen member to said fitting member.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet end portion of said fitting member is externally threaded and is adapted to be threadably received within the support structure, and wherein said fitting member comprises a tool engaging portion adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool for threadably securing said fitting member in said threaded bore of said support structure.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recess is formed in the end of said flowpassage adjacent said inlet end portion.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said screen member is of substantially the same diameter as said flow passage, and wherein said attachment section comprises a radially outwardly projecting portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches which permit radial inward deformation of said' screen member in order to provide for insertion thereof axially into said flow passage.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said screen member is nestingly received within said inlet end portion and projects axially outwardly therefrom.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tool engaging portion comprises a diametrically extending slot formed in said outlet end portion of said fitting member adapted for engagement with a screwdriver like tool.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tool engaging portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced tool engaging facets formed around said fitting member.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment section comprises a radially outwardly extending flange section formed with a reverse bend so as to provide for axially insertion thereof into said flow passage to a position in axial alignment with said recess and provide against inadvertent disassembly of said screen member from said fitting member.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said radially outwardly projecting attachment section comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly projecting tab portions.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said attachment section is arranged in a generally helical path and said inlet end portion of said fitting member is formed within an internally threaded bore adapted to threadably engage said attachment section. 

1. A screen fitting comprising, an elongated tubular fitting member defining a central flow passage and including an intermediate body portion, an inlet end portion and An outlet end portion, one of said end portions being externally threaded and thereby adapted to be threadably received within an internally threaded bore of an associated support structure, the other of said end portions being formed with an outwardly projecting shoulder and adapted for insertion into the end of an associated conduit and having suitable clamping means to clampingly secure said conduit to said member at a position axially inwardly of said shoulder, a generally cup-shaped perforate screen member adapted to be operatively secured to said fitting member, said screen member comprising a generally cylindrical side wall section terminating at one end thereof in a generally radially extending end section and at the opposite end in a generally radially outwardly projecting attachment section, and means defining a generally radially outwardly disposed annular recess formed in the periphery of said flow passage and adapted to nestingly receive said attachment section of said screen member for securing said screen member to said fitting member.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet end portion of said fitting member is externally threaded and is adapted to be threadably received within the support structure, and wherein said fitting member comprises a tool engaging portion adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool for threadably securing said fitting member in said threaded bore of said support structure.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recess is formed in the end of said flow passage adjacent said inlet end portion.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said screen member is of substantially the same diameter as said flow passage, and wherein said attachment section comprises a radially outwardly projecting portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches which permit radial inward deformation of said screen member in order to provide for insertion thereof axially into said flow passage.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said screen member is nestingly received within said inlet end portion and projects axially outwardly therefrom.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tool engaging portion comprises a diametrically extending slot formed in said outlet end portion of said fitting member adapted for engagement with a screwdriver like tool.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tool engaging portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced tool engaging facets formed around said fitting member.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment section comprises a radially outwardly extending flange section formed with a reverse bend so as to provide for axially insertion thereof into said flow passage to a position in axial alignment with said recess and provide against inadvertent disassembly of said screen member from said fitting member.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said radially outwardly projecting attachment section comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly projecting tab portions.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said attachment section is arranged in a generally helical path and said inlet end portion of said fitting member is formed within an internally threaded bore adapted to threadably engage said attachment section. 